Somerset County continues energy-saving initiative with plan to install solar panels on 31 more sites

Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-LedgerMarco Abrantes of Vanguard Energy installs protective padding under a rack array that will hold solar panels on the roof of the Irene E. Feldkirchner Elementary School. The solar project is part of a larger initiative by Somerset County to have 65 public sites generating solar power in the next few years.

SOMERSET COUNTY — The latest wave of solar-power panels installed on public properties is set to make its way through Somerset County, with 31 additional sites targeted for the sunlight-capturing devices.

The project, steered by the Somerset County Improvement Authority, is a continuation of the county’s multi-year effort to seek energy savings by setting up solar farms. Construction at 32 locations in Somerset County’s southern half began late last year and is expected to be completed this fall.

Sunlight General Capital, a solar energy firm from New York, has been selected to complete the second phase, estimated to cost about $40 million. Branchburg-based Vanguard Energy Partners handled the $40 million first phase.

The county freeholders in February approved a $52 million bond guaranty ordinance for the project.

"I hope this one goes as smoothly as the first one," Freeholder Director Robert Zaborowski said.

The latest round mainly targets sites in the northern part of the county. They include the Bernards Township public works building, the Bedminster municipal building, Bridgewater-Raritan High School, the Franklin Township public works building, the Somerset County Administration Building in Somerville and Patriots Stadium in Bridgewater.

Somerset County is one of four counties in New Jersey that are pursuing a wide-scale public solar power project.

Morris County was the first to build solar panels on public properties and sites owned by organizations — a program projected to cut energy bills there by at least 35 percent over 15 years.

Morris was soon joined by Somerset and Union counties, and Passaic County is now trying to corral its local municipalities for a similar venture.

"I think you’re going to hear about a few more counties coming out and doing this," said Sarah Hughes, a partner with Sunlight General. "People have had a chance to see this work."

The latest wave of Somerset County panels is similar to the first. This one is expected to produce 7.5 megawatts of power; the first will produce more than 7.6.

The deal with Sunlight General is set up in a similar manner. The county is acting as a facilitator by putting up the money, which is expected to be repaid by Sunlight General through state and federal solar-power incentives.

Sunlight General, like Vanguard before it, will build and operate the system for 15 years. It will then sell the power back to the property owners.

Hughes said the upcoming part of the project could result in annual energy savings of 60 to 70 percent.

Zaborowski said a third phase of the solar power effort is being planned, and will target properties countywide that were missed in the first two parts.